Having completed the gift quilt, it's time to complete the practice quilt that I meant to finish first. The old Kenmore sewing machine had quite a workout, so I opened it up to clean it out and oil the appropriate spots. There was a lot of cotton dust sticking to various mechanisms, and "crud" in some areas where metal parts should be sliding smoothly. I used a brush and a few qtips to clean and polish some inside areas, and insulin syringes to apply tiny drops of oil on working mechanisms. One of the bottom screws is damaged and I can't get it to turn, so .i try to access spots that need oil, through more awkward and difficult pathways. In the middle foto, you can see that I replaced the old, dim, hot, incandescent light bulb with a modern, cooler, brighter LED bulb. I'm amazed that that is possible, and so easy. I'm wondering if I should get a new belt, and how easy is that to find? This one works fine but it's really old. Then I put it all back together. It always surprises me that it works after I take it apart and put it back together. But it actually runs noticeably more smoothly, easier, and no skipped stitches. Imagine that! I sewed a few rows on the practice quilt. It wad quite a bit easier than it was yesterday. I want to finish my backlog of quilts, then have a clean slate to begin some more intricate and possibly more artistic looking quilts.
Completed quilting and binding on scrap quilt. Then a trip to the washer (gentle, cold water, twice) and dryer (low warm setting) to fluff up the batting a bit. This was practice for the all-batik quilt that I posted earlier. The fabric was all scraps that I didn't much care for or couldn't figure out what to do with. Also some techniques I haven't tried before. The batting is pieced together from saved scraps too. That worked OK, but required much more smoothing out as I went along, than a whole batting. Some fabric pieces were somewhat looser weave, so I used spray basting to attach them to white backings. That made them a bit more stiff. I won't use spray basting again anyway, too obnoxious in the lungs and doesn't wash out despite the manufacturer's claims.
The m&m quilt is pinned together and I made arrangements to go to the senior center on Monday to learn the long arm. Meanwhile I will be working on repairing my son's graduation quilt. This was my third quilt and first using more than just squares. I don't know why I made it so long (96x55). I think I've kind of decided to take the first row (Halloween) off. That one has the most scorched pieces. Then I can use the money tree fabric to fix the one tree on the snowflake row, that's scorched. I'll move the money clip row down. That would make it 87x55. A double/full size is 54x75. This should be a quick fix.
@Daniel W and @Willowisp0801 Do you do quilts with animals , horses or dogs or transfer pictures ? You’re both extremely talented. Just to arrange and design in a pattern is quite the challenge. I have no idea where to even start. Maybe first is to get a machine. Daniel how did you get started with quilting? And same question for Willow?
Pac, I don't remember why I started making quilts. I've had sewing machines ever since my discharge from the army, 1970s, using them to make and repair all sorts of things. It was never really a hobby, just a way to get things done. Then, after I retired and I was being treated for cancer, I didn't have the strength or energy to do what I wanted at the time -furniture refinishing and home remodeling. Sewing a quilt seemed calming and a creative outlet. I don't recall what made me think that. I can do it while listening to a book or watching something on the TV. I'm still learning and I still make lots of mistakes. Even finding "the right" sewing machine can be a challenge. I'm happiest with my 1990s or 1980s era machine, but they can't do fancy quilting. As for animals or transfer pictures, I've never learned to do that. Some day, I might change to doing the quilting with hand stitches, and do more texturing or appliqué. But not yet and maybe never. (being a guy at Joanne's can get a guy some stares and some rudeness. Or maybe it's my imagination. I usually buy from on line fabric stores now).
@Daniel W Interesting story how quilting became a hobby for you. And your designs are very versatile with color pattern and design. This does seem to be calming for you at a constant for a period of time , considering your illness during the beginning of your creative journey. You have developed a considerable endurance constitution. I can’t keep up with every thing you have accomplished this last year . Your like like the ever ready energy bunny. I would never have imagined you had a difficult health condition . I hope your past illness was not connected by your service in the army. And very happy to hear your doing so much better now. Considering your daily activities last season it seems as though you got your groove back and then some. I would imagine finding a sewing machine would be a huge undertaking. Would you believe I’ve never owned a sewing machine. Quilting seems like it’s a project that requires sitting still for long periods. Unfortunately I am a notorious wiggle worm .
Thanks Daniel, it's called, "Cabin in the Woods". I gave this to him for a HS graduation quilt. He had a waterbed at the time. A year or so later (he lived with his dad) we went to visit him. He told me it was on his bed we went in so I could see it and it wasn't there. I looked at him and he was like, "no I have it". He pushed the mattress over and there it was next to the heater. While he held the mattress I pulled it out and I saw the scorching. That really scared me and I told him it could have started a fire. I told him to tell his dad and he must have, because next time we visited he no longer had a waterbed. I started when I was pregnant with my oldest. (The same one with the scorched quilt). I made him a baby quilt and hand appliqued animals with a satin stitch. When he was a little older and needed a bigger bed,I made a nine patch for him. After that I just kept making them. Each child got one when they started school and one when they graduated. I quit when I was taking the pills after cancer treatment, all my muscles ached (gotta love side effects). So my friend told me cards and scrapbooking is fun and you might be able to do stuff without hurting. I finally started getting back to it around 2011. My middle son and my daughter (mother of the granddaughter that shares my house) both asked me when I was going to make a quilt for each of their kids. My granddaughter that lives with me was born in November 2009 and my son's daughter was born 2-1/2 months later. But we moved so many times and some houses weren't big enough for sewing machine space. I have an old Singer (black cast iron around early 1950s) in a free standing cabinet. So I put the sewing machine in storage as well as the fabric. I didn't take it out again until we moved here. So I started again about early 2019. I have two sewing machines. My Singer and a Brother, that my brother bought for me. I like both of them, but, like Daniel, neither of them do any fancy embroidery. The "m"s in the m&m quilt were done by my aunt, who had a brand new embroidery machine. I have a problem sitting still for too long. The reason I like doing quilts is because I'm constantly moving. With the m&m quilt I spread it out in the living room to pin it. Each row of squares gets pinned to match the row above it. Then I have to move to the sewing room, sew it and I'm moving back to the living room...and so on. Plus I like doing something where I can see progress. About the sewing machines, I can tell you that the Heavy Duty Singer that the school bought last school year, frustrated me to no end. I swore I would never buy a new Singer.
Willow what an interesting story how you began your quilting journey. A lot of challenges and success along the way. Your quilts are all beautiful and your years of experience shows in the quality of the finished product.
Thanks Pac. It keeps me busy in the winter. Our winters are so long! When I lived in Washington State I just worked on them year round.. But here gardening is so short I work in the garden as much as I can.
Pinned this quilt top. Yesterday I finished my son's quilt so it's ready for the long arm. I was going to go in yesterday but it took longer to do his. I guess there needs to be 4 inches of batting and backing all the way around. So I added to both. I'll put squares around it for the border.
Willow interesting pattern and fabrics. I am always perplexed how this quilting puzzle begins . Follow thru til the end. The out come is always beautiful almost a sin to use them. All the work that goes into them they could be proudly positioned on a wall to attain their just admiration for all to admire. Will be a nice addition.
